How conversation works

Conversational English

For classes 7-11

Important rule for you to remember: Don’t ask a stranger direct questions, you may

appear to be rude. Personal questions should be expressed

tactfully.

When asking questions of this kind the British generally use :

Excuse me for asking…

Excuse me asking…Excuse me my asking…

Other useful opening expressions you can use are as follows:

I wonder if you could tell me… ? Excuse me, do you happen to know… ? Would you mind telling me…? I hope you don’t mind my asking, but …? Something else I’d like to know is…

To make a general enquiry about somebody’s job the British use:

What do you do? What do you do for a living?

Here are some useful phrases for describing somebody’s job in more detail :

I’m in advertising/ banking.

She’s responsible for out-of-school activities.

He deals with the financial side of things.

I’m qualified as a web designer..

How to get more information:

Could you tell me a bit more about the history of the internet?

Sorry, but I’d like to know some more about your trip to London.

Sorry , I didn’t quite follow what you said about the latest news ?

How to ask for clarification:

What do you mean?

What exactly do you mean?

Can you explain it in more detail, please?

How to interrupt a person politely:

Excuse me, can I interrupt you for a moment?

Sorry to interrupt but I’ve got a question for you.

By the way (to change the subject)…

Just a moment , please.

How to prevent interruptions:

Here are some useful techniques to make sure you are not interrupted:

There are two points I’d like to make.

Another thing that matters much in learning foreign languages is the learner’s attitude.

Although he speaks English fluently, his pronunciation is not very good actually.

How to bring in other people:The following phrases may be helpful:

Don’t you agree ,Jane, that English is a beautiful language?

What do you think, Nick, about Spanish painting?

You are very quiet, Mary.

I expect Jane will agree with me when I say that there’re many lovely parks in London.

I don’t know what Mary thinks but I’m sure she knows more about it.

How to ask for repetition:

Sorry, what was that( you said) ?

Sorry ,could you say that again, please?

Sorry, could you repeat that?

Sorry, would you mind repeating that?

Sorry, I didn’t hear what you said..

Sorry, I didn’t quite catch you.

Helpful expressions when at a loss for words:

I can’t think of the right word but you know what I mean.

Oh, you know what I mean.

I don’t quite know what you call it.

I can’t remember what it’s called.

One of those things, you know.

Possible answers may be:

Yes, I think I know what you mean.

Yes, I know exactly what you mean.

No, I’m afraid I don’t remember what you mean.

You mean ……..?

Is it…………….?

How to check if your partner is following the conversation:

The following phrases will help you to see if you are properly understood.

…if you see what I meanAnd you know what I said?

Can you guess what I said? Can you guess what I did?

See what I mean?

Do you follow me? Are you with me on that?

All right so far? Is everything clear? Got that?

Here are some useful words you might use to show you are involved and share the speaker’s feelings:

Sure Oh I know

I see Yes Yeah

Really?

Right

Fine

Gosh Wow Lovely

Fancy that! Well Exactly so

How to delay answering a question?

If you need to delay answering a question while you think for a moment or check on your facts you may use some delaying expressions:

Well, let me see… Well, now …

Oh, let me see for a moment.

Oh, let me think for a moment.

I’m not sure , I’ll just have to find it out.

That’s a very interesting question. Well, that’s a difficult question to answer.

It’s difficult to say. Let me put it this way. What do you mean?

What exactly do you mean?

How to avoid answering questions:

I’m not really sure. I can’t tell you off-hand, I’m afraid.

I’m terribly sorry, I really don’t know. I’ve no idea, I’m afraid.

I can’t answer that one , but I’ll tell you where you can find it out.

I’d rather not answer that , if you don’t mind.

How to avoid discussing something:

Well, I’d rather not discuss it at the moment.

Well, I’d rather not talk about it if you don’t mind.

Well, I’d rather wait till I know more about it before I say.

How to terminate a conversation:

Excuse me, I’m afraid I have to be going now.

It was really a pleasure to talk to you.

That’s all.

I hope you will find everything useful to improve your speech.

Respectfully Yours,

Victor Nickolz